Hollow structural building unit



Feb. 9, 1954 N. T. CLEMENTS 6 35 HOLLOW STRUCTURAL BUILDING UNIT Filed Nov. 12, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l Fig.2. Fig.3. I,

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Feb. 9, 1954 N. -r. CLEMENTS HOLLOW STRUCTURAL BUILDING UNIT Filed Nov. 12, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet I 2 g; u m a? as AT ORNEY INVENTOR. NormunT.Clemen1s.

Patented Feb. 9, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

My invention relates, generally, to building units, and, more particularly, to structural bu lding units in the form of blocks, tile and the like.

The object of my invention, generally stated,

is to provide a building unit in the form of a block or hollow tile which shall be of simple and rugged construction, and which may be readily and economically made and used to improve building structures, generally, and reduce the cost thereof. 7

A more specific object of my invention is to provide a building unit of the character described which is so formed that it will be self-spacing, self-aligning and self-interlocking in a building or wall structure, and which may be used with or Without an adhesive agent.

A further object of my invention is to provide a building unit of the character described which is so constructed that a number thereof may be initially laid up into a wall or other structure without an adhesive agent added later, or laid up with the adhesive agent and under any condition of laying be properly spaced, aligned and mechanically interlocked.

Another object of my invention is to provide a building unit of the character described wherein the self-spacing, self-interlocking and selfaligning features are obtained by the use of a plurality of longitudinally aligned collars, tapered extensions or other protruding portions and a longitudinally extending cleat, bar or other spacing member or portion on one flat face or surface thereof and at least two transverse cleats, bars or other spacing members or portions on the same surface or the opposite surface.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a building unit in the general form of a common concrete or cinder block having opposed fiat faces or surfaces with a plurality of ducts extending between said faces with extensions or collars at their ends on" one face and a plurality of cleats or bars on the same face, the collars being of greater height than the cleats or bars and adapted to interfit with the opposite ends 2 and to be self-spacing by means of a plurality of bars on the same surface or face as the collars. Another object of my invention is to provide a building unit of the character described having a plurality of spaced and aligned openings or ducts extending through the unit between opposite fiat faces or surfaces and which terminate on one face with collars or extensions which extend above the face and which is provided with a longitudinal cleat on the same fiat face as the collars with spaced notches therein and a pair of transverse cleats on the opposite flat face with open-sided notches at their ends, whereby when a number of the units are laid one upon the other with their ends aligned or in overlapping relation, the collars will engage the lower ends of the ducts to provide continuous ducts and the transverse cleats will rest upon the flat face on which the collars are positioned with the open sided notches engaging the notches in the longitudinal cleat.

Another object of my invention is to provide a perpendicular reducing block for use in Wall or other structures built up of blocks of the character described hereinbefore to lay a course, such as the last course of a'block foundation, to receive and support a brick veneer wall or the like,

such reducing block also being so constructed as to be self-spacing, self-aligning and self-interlocking.

Still another object of my invention is to provide right and left-hand horizontal reducing blocks for use in wall or other structures, such as basement walls constructed of blocks of the character described hereinbefore, at the corners thereof so as to maintain a predetermined wall thickness with half lapping of the blocks. and continuous vertical ducts through the walls, such reducing blocks also being so constructed as to be self-spacing, self-aligning and self-interlocking.

is to provide A further object of my invention a building unit in the form of a hollow tile having a pair of opposed fiat faces or a longitudinal cleat or other spacing member or portion on one face adjacent the edge thereof and having a plurality of spaced notches therein and a pair of transverse cleats or other spacing members or portions on the opposite fiat face with open-sided notches in corresponding ends .thereof adapted to engage the notches in the longitudinal cleat when a number of tiles are laid one upon the other.

These and other objects of my invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of several embodimentstheresurfaces with of when read in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

Figure l is a top plan view of a concrete or cinder building block embodying the principal features of one embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 2 is a front view, in elevation, of the block of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an end view, in elevation, thereof,

Fig. 4 is a rear view, in elevation, of the block,

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the block,

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of my building block,

Fig. 7 is a rear view, in elevation, of the block of Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 is an end view, in elevation, thereof,

Fig. 9 is a front view, in elevation, thereof,

Fig. 10 is an end view, in elevation, of the perpendicular reducing block of my invention shown in place on another block, the latter being shown in cross section,

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the horizontal reducing block of the right-hand type of my invention showing how it interfits with another block,

Fig. 12 is a similar view of the horizontal reducing block of the left-hand type,

Fig. 13 is a side view, in elevation, of the hollow tile embodiment of my invention, and

Fig. 14 is an end view, in elevation, thereof.

Referring to Figs. 1 through 5, there is shown one embodiment of my invention in the form of a building block. This block is in the nature of a cement or cinder block and it is to be understood that it may be formed of any suitable material. Likewise it may be of any desired size and proportions. The proportions shown are merely illustrative.

As shown, the block is comprised. of a body portion 2% having at least a flat top surface 2! and a flat bottom surface 22. In this instance, the body portion is provided with a plurality of full ducts or openings 23, 24 and 25 extending between the top and bottom surfaces and two half or partial ducts 26 and 21 at the end faces of the body portion. It will be apparent that the purpose of the half or partial ducts is to provide a full duct when blocks are laid in end to end relation. The full and partial ducts are preferably equally spaced as shown.

As shown in Fig. 3, the preferred shape of the ducts is tapered or fluted with their large ends at the bottom surface 22 and their small ends at the top surface 21. These ducts are each continued or extended above the top surface 2i by means of full and partial extensions or collars 28, 29, 39 and 3|, 32, respectively, which may be separate or integral with the body portion. These collars are so shaped and are of such size that they telescope with or engage the large bottom ends of the full and partial ducts when blocks are laid one upon the other. This provides continuous ducts as well as mechanical interlock The top surface 2| of the block, in this instance, is provided with a longitudinal spacing member or portion in the form of a triangular-shaped cleat 33 along one edge thereof, and this cleat is provided with a plurality of spaced notches (is, 35, 3t and 37. As shown in Fig. 4, for example, these notches are equally spaced and have a depth of one-half the height of the cleat.

The bottom surface 22 of the block is provided with a pair of transverse spacing members or portions in the form of triangular-shaped cleats 38 and 39 which are provided at their ends, as

4 shown in Figs. 4 and 5, with open-sided notches ii and it. These notches also have a depth of one-half the height of the cleats.

It will be apparent that the longitudinal cleat 33 with its notches and the transverse cleats 38 and with their open-sided notches function to provide self-spacing, self-aligning and interlocking. When the blocks of this construction are laid one upon the other, the open-sided notches ll and 42 of the transverse cleats engage the notches 34, 35, etc., in the longitudinal cleat 33 and the full and half connectors or collars interfit with the bottom openings of the ducts. This not only provides complete mechanical interlocking and self-spacing but also provides for continuous air ducts through the wall or other structure formed by the blocks. The cleats function to support the Weight and thus relieve the connectors or collars from any weight, such as would tend to damage them. The collars, in addition to functioning as connectors for the ducts, also function as mechanical interlocking and aligning members.

It will be observed that both the longitudinal cleat and the transverse cleats in this construction are triangular shaped although it is to be understood that they may be of any other suitable shape. The cleats 33, 38 and 39 function to properly space the blocks apart and to provide mechanical interlocking. The extensions or collars which interfit with the large ends of the ducts also contribute to the interlocking and proper spacing longitudinally, These collars provide a continuous duct and make it impossible for mortar to fall into the ducts when the blocks are being laid.

It will now be apparent that a number of these blocks may be laid up in any desired or conventional manner. They may be laid up with their ends in vertical alignment or in a one-quarter or one-half overlapping manner. It is contemplated that when these blocks are laid up in courses in overlapping relation, their ends will be close together or in engagement without mortar or other adhesive agent therebetween. The partial or half ducts in their ends will thus provide full ducts.

The spacing of the transverse cleats, the notches in the longitudinal cleat and collars is such that regardless of the manner in which the blocks are laid the self-spacing, aligning and interlocking will be obtained.

Referring now to Figs. 6 through 9 there is shown another embodiment of my block which comprises, generally, a body portion 45 having a hat bottom surface 46 and a flat top surface 41.

In this embodiment there are no cleats or other projections on the bottom surface 46. The top surface 41, however, is provided with spacing members or portions in the form of a longitudinal bar '18 and a plurality of spaced transverse bars #39, 5B, 5!, 52 and 53. The two end bars 49 and 53 are half the width of the other bars. These bars are of sufiicient height to provide the proper spacing between blocks. It will also be noted that they are all fiat topped and. thereby are capable of supporting the necessary load.

This block is also provided with a plurality of spaced full ducts 5d, 55 and 56 extending from the bottom to the top surface. It is also provided with a pair of half or partial ducts 51 and 58 at the ends which, as in the case of the other block, function to complete a full duct when blocks are laid in end to end relation. While these ducts are shown as being of tapered shape so as to have a large opening at the bottom it is to be understood that they may be of any other suitable shape.

The full ducts 54, 55 and 56 and half ducts 51 and 58 are provided with tapered extensions or collar portions 59, 60, 6i and 62, 63, respectively, which are so shaped as to interfit with the end openings of the ducts at the bottom of the block.

It will be apparent that the alignment and interlocking between blocks of this kind is provided by means of the full and half collars engaging the duct openings and that the spacing between blocks is maintained by the longitudinal and transverse spacing bars.

A number of these blocks may be laid up in courses as described in connection with the block of Figs. 1 through 5. blocks may be laid up dry, i. e., without an adhesive agent and the adhesive agent inserted later in any suitable manner. In addition, they may be laid up in an adhesive agent in the usual manner. It makes no difference as the construction of the blocks is such that they are self-spacing, self-aligning and self-interlocking so that a true and rigid structure may be formed regardless of when the adhesive agent is applied or whether it is used at all.

Referring now to Fig. 10, there is shown at 61 a perpendicular reducing block in conjunction with a block 68 which may be, for example, of the same form as shown in Figs. 6 through 9. The purpose of the reducing block 61 is to make it possible to readily reduce the thickness of the wall as formed by the blocks, such as a basement wall, so as to accommodate a brick or other veneer wall.

As shown, the block 68 may be one of the blocks of a foundation course. If it is desired to continue the wall with brick courses to provide a brick veneer, a course of reducing blocks in the form of block 6! is laid thereon. The reducing block 6'! is shown in end elevation and the block 68 in transverse section.

The reducing block 61 is of the same width and-length as the block 68, but its top section is reduced in width by a corner notch 69 to provide a shelf with a flat horizontal surface Ill extending longitudinally thereof. The flat surface 'II] is of a width to accommodate a brick II, as shown, and may be a plain surface or have thereon adjacent its inner edge a projecting portion in the form of a triangular-shaped longitudinal cleat 12 having spaced notches (not shown) similar in all general respects to the cleat 33 on the block of Figs. 1 through 5, for example, so as to accommodate bricks of the construction disclosed by my copending application Serial No. 47,451 (Series of 1948), filed September 2, 1948, entitled Structural Building Unit, now Patent No. 2,644,327. A brick of this type is shown in Fig. 10 to illustrate the function of the shelf formed by the notch 69. 'It is to be understood, of course, that the notches in the cleat 12 would be spaced so as to properly receive the transverse cleats on the brick.

In this instance, the reducing block 61 has a In both instances, the.

flat bottom surface as the block of Figs. 6

Only. one partial or half recess 13 shows up in Fig. 10 which engages or interfits with the middle full collar 74 (assuming one-half overlapping) of the block 68 which is shown in cross section.'

ing, self-spacing and self-aligning features re-v ferred to in connection therewith.

As shown, the fiat bottom surface E5 of the reducing block is of the same width as the top,

surface 76 of the lower block 68 and rests upon the longitudinal cleat or bar 11 and the transverse cleats or bars (only one 18 of which is shown) to provide the desired self-spacing horizontally between the blocks.

The top surface of the reducing block 67 is of reduced width as shown, and may be provided with full and partial collars or solid lugs, full and partial transverse cleats or bars and a longitudinal cleat or bar shaped and spaced as those on the top surface of the block of Figs. 6 through 9. The longitudinal bar is indicated at 8|, one of the partial or half collars or lugs at 82 and its associated transverse bar at 83.

When the top surface is in this form, it may be finished off flat to receive the base of a structural framing by employing a relatively thin cap or finishing member not shown. This cap would have spaced recesses in its bottom surface to receive the collars or lugs represented by the collar or lug 82. If desired the top surface I9 may be perfectly flat, 1. e., without the bars and collars or lugs.

Referring now to Fig. 11, there is shown another embodiment of my invention which may be termed a horizontal reducing block for use at the corners of a wall, such as a basement wall, or other build structure.

It is standard practice in the use of concrete blocks to use a reducing block at the corners of a wall, for example, whose dimensions are 8 inches high and 16 inches long regardless of width which corresponds to the desired thickness of the wall and which is usually 12 inches. The block, however, is only 8 inches wide at one end regardless of its full width of 12 inches, for example.

A pair of horizontal reducing blocks 85 and 86 of this type embodying the features of my inven-- tion are shown in Figs. 11 and 12. These blocks are at the opposite ends of a wall and the abutting ends of the two end blocks 81 and 88 of the wall extending therebetween are shown, all blocks being viewed from the top surfaces thereof.

As shown, the reducing block 85, for example, is of lesser width at end a than at end b. The width at end a may be 8 inches, for example, while the width'at b may be 12 inches, or the desired thickness of the wall. The reduced width at end a is obtained by a corner notch 89.

The block 85 is provided on its flat top surface with a longitudinal spacing member or portion in the form of a bar SI, and a plurality of spaced and longitudinally aligned, full ducts 92, 93 and 94 and a half or partial duct 95 at end I). The full ducts have extensions or collars 96, 9! and 98 and the half duct has a half collar 93.

The block 85 is also provided with a plurality of full width transverse spacing members or portions in the form of bars IEII, I92 and I63 and a partial of half-width bar I04. 89 reduces the length of bars III! and I02 and the width of the end of bar I03, as shown. It will be apparent that these collars and bars func- The notch tion inthe same manner as those of the block of Figs. 6 through 9, for example, to provide the self spacing, self-interlocking and self-aligning features.

It will be noted, however, that the end a of block 85 is plain and does not have a half or par tial duct with an associated collar and transverse half bar as in the case of end I).

In order, however, that the blocks 85 and 8 7: will fit together properly and provide half-lapping, the block 85 is provided with a second half or partial duct I65 and half collar IIlIiv in its side at the end of bar I01. This half duct I and its half collar I08 interfit with the half duct I01 and its half collar I88 in the end of block 87, as shown, to provide a full duct and collar.

It will be apparent that the ducts and collars are continuous throughout each course and are equally spaced.

The other reducing block 86 is the same as block 85. except that it is reversed, i. e., it is a left-hand block whereas the other is a right-hand block.

The blocks 81 and 88 are of regular shape, i. e., similar to the block of Figs. 6 through 9. All of the blocks are of the same height. The collars and bars are also of the same height.

In the next course of blocks, the reducing blocks are reversed both as to location and position in the wall, i. e., block I36 or a block similar thereto, is laid on block 85 and the adjacent block 81 lengthwise with its corner notch Ilil on the inside so as to bridge the joint III in half lapping relation. At the other end of the wall, a

block similar to block 85 is laid in a similar manner.

It will be apparent that by the use of horizontal reducing blocks of this kind the wall may be laid up with the desired half lapping all the way around and with the desired wall thickness.

Referring now to Figs. 13 and 14, there is shown another embodiment of my invention in the form of a hollow tile. This tile may be constructed of any suitable material and may be of any size. It comprises a hollow body portion H5 having a fiat top face H8 and a flat bottom face Ill.

The top face is provided with a longitudinal spacing member or portion in the form of a cleat I I8 which is disposed adjacent one side edge, as shown, and which is provided with a plurality of spaced notche H9, I29, I2I and I22 having a depth of one-half the height of the cleat.

The bottom face In is provided with a pair of transverse spacing members or portions in the form of cleats I23 and I24, each having opensided end notches I25 and I28.

It will be apparent that the cleat arrangement on this hollow tile is the same as that described in connection with Figs. 1 through 5. The transverse cleats I23 and 124 are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the middle notches I28 and I2! in the longitudinal cleat. The spacing between the transverse cleats is also such that the blocks, when laid in one-half: overlapping relation, are interlocked by cleats I23 and IM engaging the adjacent end notches of the longitudinal cleats of adjacent blocks in the course.

It will be apparent that the hollow tile of Figs. 13 and 14 fit together in a wall structure in exactly the same way as the block of Figs. 1 through 5 insofar as the functioning of the longitudinal and transverse cleats and concerned to provide the self-spacing, self-aligning and self-interlocking features. This tile may be; laid up either agent being applied as the tile is laid or afterwards by a suitable mechanism.

In view of the foregoing detailed description of the several embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent that I have provided building blocks and hollow tile of a new and novel form which are so constructed as to be self-spacing, self-interlocking and self-aligning in a wall or other building structure. The construction of the blocksis such that they provide continuous vertical air ducts in the wall which are not obstructed by mortar or other foreign matter.

The blocks are also of such construction that they may be used with or without an adhesive agent and still provide a rigid and accurate structure. The adhesive or mortar space is continuous for each block so that the adhesive agent may be readily inserted after the blocks are laid up by means of a suitable cement gunor the like.

The hollow tile has the same self-spacing, selfinterloclzing and self-aligning features as the blocks and maybe laid up in the same manner.

Such construction or form of the blocks and tile makes it possible to build structures with inexperienced or experienced workmen and at reduced labor cost as the self-spacing, selfaligning and self -interlocking feature reduce the time required for laying.

While I have shown and described specific embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that changes and modifications thereof may be made therein without departing from the principles of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A building block comprising, a body member having opposed flat faces, said body member hav ing a plurality of spaced openings extending therethrough from face to face and a channel forming a partial or half opening at each end thereof, extension portions associated with the common ends ofsaid openings for extending them above a. face of the body member, a longitudinally extending elongated bar portion positioned on said face adjacent one edge thereof, and a plu- :rality of transversely extending elongated bar portions on said face extending in parallel rela-- tion individually between the said extension por tions and the opposite edge of the face, all of said bar portions being of lesser height above the surface of the face than the extension portions.

2. A building unit in the form of a block or the like comprising, a body portion having fiat topand bottom surfaces, said body portion having a plurality of longitudinally spaced ducts extending therethrough from top to bottom and an open sided duct opening at each end, a collar individe ual to each full duct and a collar portion individual to each open-sided end duct positioned over the ends of the ducts on the upper surface, said collars being adapted to interfit with the duct openings at the bottom surface of a block, a longitudinally extending elongated spacer bar on the upper surface of the body portion posi-. tioned adjacent one side. edge thereof and spaced from said collars, and a plurality of transversely extending elongated spacer bars on the upper surface positioned between each collar and the other side edge of the surface.

3. A building block comprising, a body member having opposed top and bottom flat faces, a longitudinally extending elongated bar portion on the top face adjacent one side edge thereof, said body portion having a plurality of spaced openin s therein extending from the top face to with. or without an adhesive agent, the adhesive the bottom face, ach of said openings being ex.-

tended above the top face by an extension collar portion, and a plurality of transverse short bar portions positioned on said top face portion in alignment with the collar portions and extending transversely thereof in parallel relation individually between said collar portions and the other side edge of the top face portion, said extension collar portions being of greater height than the longitudinal and transverse bar portions and adapted to interfit with the spaced openings in the bottom face of a block.

4. A building unit in the form of a block comprising, a body portion having flat top and bottom surfaces, said body portion having a plurality of longitudinally spaced ducts extending between the top and bottom surfaces intermediate the side edges thereof, said ducts being tapered from the bottom surface upwardly with the large end of the duct at the bottom surface, a collar portion individual to each duct positioned over the small ends of the ducts on the top surface, said collars having their outer surfaces tapered to interfit with the large ends of duct blocks are laid one upon the other, a longitudinally extending elongated spacer member on the top surface of the body member positioned adjacent one side edge thereof, and a plurality of transversely extending spacer members on the top surface of the body member positioned between each collar and the other side edge of the top surface, said longitudinal and transverse spacer members being of lesser height than the collar portions.

NORMAN THOMAS CLEMEN'IS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 599,864 Rapp Mar. 1, 1898 831,732 Momsen Sept. 25, 1906 1,630,698 Florey May 31, 1927 1,751,272 Forman May 18, 1930 2,019,653 Buyer Nov. 5, 1935 2,192,691 Mutch May 5, 1940 f FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 93,507 Austria Dec. 15, 1922 

